San Diego Police Department Sgt. Joseph Ruvido, 49, was found dead in his apartment from a self inflicted gunshot wound on August 5. Ruvido was arrested on July 26 after a investigation determined that he attempted to solicit sex from a minor.
Ruvido’s court arraignment was scheduled for August 5 but he failed to show up and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest for failure to appear. Over a dozen heavily armed officers and SWAT personnel went to Ruvido’s Carmel Valley, California home to arrest him for not showing up to court.
SWAT busted down the door and it was there that Ruvido was found dead inside his residence from a self inflicted gunshot wound, likely to the head. At the time his body was discovered, Ruvido was suspended and on unpaid leave and had his police powers revoked, KTLA News reports.
Police Chief David Nisleit said:
“After several attempts to reach him, the decision was made to force entry into his apartment. Once inside, officers found him deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
Ruvido was facing two felonies and a misdemeanor after he allegedly set up a meeting with a minor for sexual purposes and then showed up at the arranged place and time. Ruvido was also suspected of attempting to commit lewd acts with a child between the ages of 14 and 15.
Ruvido faced four years in state prison and lifetime sex-offender registration if convicted, according to Deputy District Attorney Stephen Marquardt.
Ruvido was in the U.S. Navy for eight years and he was deployed in the first Gulf War.
